Employment Contracts in the UAE: Private and Public Sector Explained

An employment contract is a legal agreement between you and your employer that spells out the terms of your work. It’s like a roadmap that keeps things clear and fair for both sides.

Private Sector Contracts:

In the private sector, most contracts are now fixed-term. This means you’re hired for a specific period, which can be extended upon agreement. If your contract ends and you keep working, it usually renews automatically with the same terms.

There are different work arrangements you can have under a private-sector contract:

• Full-time: You work for one employer for all your working hours.
• Part-time: You work for one or more employers for several hours or days.
• Temporary: You’re hired for a specific project, and the contract ends when the project is done.
• Flexible: Your work hours or days can change depending on your employer’s needs.
• Remote: You can work from home or another location outside the office, either full-time or part-time.
• Job Sharing: You share the tasks and duties of a full-time position with another employee.

Probation Periods and Notice

The probation period in a private sector job can’t be longer than six months. Once you finish probation and keep working, that time counts towards your service with the company.

If your employer wants to let you go during probation, they need to give you 14 days’ notice. The same applies if you want to leave during probation but plan to stay in the UAE.

If you find a new job in the UAE during your probation, you typically need to give your current employer one month’s written notice. Your new employer might also need to pay your current employer’s recruitment costs.

Public Sector Contracts

Public sector contracts come in a few flavours:

• Full-time: You work all the regular working hours for the position.
• Part-time: You work a set number of hours that’s less than full-time.
• Temporary: You work full-time for a set period of up to three months, with the possibility of renewal.
• Special Contracts: These are for high-level positions in ministries and are awarded for two years, with the possibility of renewal for another two years.